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Michigan State Beats Notre Dame

Josh Adams runs during the first half. (Bill Panzica)

FIRST QUARTER: Notre Dame 7-0

Top Moment: On a 2nd and six play from its own 24, Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer finds sophomore receiver Equanimeous St. Brown for a 48-yard gain on a pop pass off the left edge.

Stats: Notre Dame outgained Michigan State 118-89. Kizer completed 4-of-7 passes for 74 yards and ran for a touchdown. The Irish averaged 7.9 yards per play in the opening quarter.

Items: Sophomore running back Josh Adams went over 1,000 career rushing yards in the first quarter, the fastest Notre Dame player to reach that mark since Darius Walker. … Notre Dame’s opening scoring drive covered 91 yards in 10 plays. It was the longest Irish scoring drive of 2016, and the sixth scoring march of 75 or more yards thus far this season.

SECOND QUARTER: Michigan State 15-7

Top Moment: Following a Notre Dame defensive stand, a punt hits blocker Miles Boykin on the return and is recovered by Michigan State. On the ensuing play, Michigan State quarterback Tyler O’Connor finds receiver Donnie Corley for a 38-yard touchdown, beating Cole Luke in coverage. The Spartans added a two-point conversion to make it 8-7 with 9:30 left in the half.

Stats: At halftime, Michigan State was outgaining Notre Dame 231-180. The Spartans had 11 first downs to Notre Dame’s eight and the Spartans converted 4-of-9 third down attempts. Notre Dame was 1-of-4 on third down. Kizer was 8-for-12 for 128 yards at halftime. The Irish ran for just 52 yards on 15 attempts.

Items: After a 71-yard punt by Notre Dame’s Tyler Newsome — the longest by an Irish player since 1998 — Michigan State drove 92 yards on 11 plays to take a 15-7 lead. The drive was capped by an R.J. Shelton 10-yard touchdown reception. … Freshman safety Devin Studstill made his first career interception on a tipped pass by freshman linebacker Daelin Hayes in the second quarter.

THIRD QUARTER: Michigan State 36-14

Top Moment: With 3:54 left in the third quarter, Michigan State running back Gerald Holmes goes right up the middle and scores a 73-yard touchdown to make it 36-7.

Stats: Through three quarters, Michigan State was winning the time of possession battle 27:53 to 17:07. The Spartans were out-gaining ND 421-264, including a 234-57 advantage on the ground.

Items: After being ruled out of bounds, a review overturned the call on the field and gave Equanimeous St. Brown a 15-yard touchdown with 2:40 left in the third quarter. St. Brown has now caught a TD in each game this season.

FOURTH QUARTER: Michigan State 36-28

Top Moment: Kizer was sacked on third and two, forcing the Irish to punt it away to Michigan State with 3:30 remaining. Notre Dame would not get the ball back.

Stats: Michigan State finished with 501 yards of total offense, including a 260-57 advantage in the running game. ... The Spartans held the ball for 37:57.

Items: It was Michigan State’s 12th win as an underdog in the Spartans' last 18 games as an underdog.

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